Mark at Beaufort

In the last 45 minutes the sky totally cleared to give me a view of Jupiter and Saturn. I quickly set up the Heritage 130P and viewed both planets individually using my 10mm and 6mm Baader Classic Orthos. I noticed that Io was almost touching the edge of Jupiter. I noticed that Io will start a shadow transit at 6.20pm (too low maybe for me) Changed EPs to the ES68 24mm and obtained both planets in the same FOV. Changed to a 17mm Celestron Ultima 68 degrees and again both planets in the same FOV. I could pick out 2 of Jupiter's Moons - Europa is behind Jupiter. I could also pick out Titan. Still hoping for clear nights leading up to the 21st but it has been a good start.

Reading this thread brought back so many memories. I original bought the Charles Frank Junior Telescope and then looked at the 3 Newts on offer. I think the 4" was advertised in mail order catalogues and I remember that a local youth club bought one paying so much per week. If I remember the 8+ inch newt was a truss design?? - I so wanted one. In the end I obtained a 6" Newt made with a wooden tube and this was place on a Charles Frank EQ mount. The attached poor photo from 1972 shows the scope with the Charles Frank Junior Astro Scope on the top.

Nice report Doug. I was surprised you were selling your 127L because it must be a great double star splitter. Glad you decided to keep it.

I have many filters but for this scope I would get a UHC filter. Something like this - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/uhc-oiii-visual-filters/explore-scientific-uhc-nebula-filter-1-25-2-inch.html You can spend a great deal of filters but this filter from Explore Scienific seems a good starting point.

I have used my Heritage 130P for a number of years and have made many modifications to it. I use the Heritage as my quick grab and go and mainly use my TeleVue 8-24 zoom (no longer available). I totally agree with what has been said about buying a zoom. I often add the Baader Classic 2.25x barlow to view double stars to get extra magification. So as everyone has stated the Hyperflex 7-21 zoom is what I would purchase. In fact there is one in the offers area of FLO asking £60 (bargain).

Michael I know this is not a CircleT but its an Ortho the size you want - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fullerscopes-12-5mm-Orthoscopic-Eyepiece-1-25-Japan/124445070934?hash=item1cf9811656:g:Q-kAAOSwwkZftNxi

Hello @SunshineI maybe totally wrong on this but I think you need to check that a triplet is okay to use without some form of protection to the front objective. If the triplet is cemented together the heat of the Sun could damage the objective before it reaches IR cut filter and quark. I appreciate that someone may reply and state I am talking rubbish but I would check just in case.

Jay is a dedicated and interesting guy to meet. I have been to the Spaceguard Centre many times over the years and chatted with Jay. This will be an interesting talk.

Well done John you have been a great ambassador for SGL over the years. I think it was SGL4 when we first met and I will never forget the night we observed together viewing so many DSOs. You have been a great friend.

I have the PST + DS and I can state that the image is dimmer but I also use a black out hood. I bought my PST in 2005 for the annular eclipse in Spain followed by the Total eclipse in 2006 (Turkey). I was really happy with my PST until I tried the double stack at a SGL star party. I then obtained a used double stack a few years ago. I usually start with just the single PST turning the wheel to get a white light view which you cannot really obtain with the DS in place. To obtain better surface detail I add the DS. If I was starting out now I would most likely buy the Lunt 50, not because I am not happy with my PST, but I believe that the extra 10mm would improve the view. In saying that I have been told that the surface detail in a PST+DS is better than the single Lunt 50.

Nice one Paul. I had Sun today so was able to pick up this new sunspot in the PST.

I have a location quite close to me with a good view of this area of sky. I will take my Heritage 130P and a zoom eyepiece. I may start a few days earlier just in case I am clouded out on the 21st. Its worth checking out your eyepiece FOV in Stellarium from about 17th onwards to get an idea what you might observe.

Jeremy funny you should say that because the other 3 did form a successful band. I have one of their CDs somewhere.

I found this photo of my first telescope taken (I Think) at the partial solar eclipse in September 1968. I am stood behind my 60mm frac with fellow astronomy friends. The location was my parents home with my home made observatory.

Thanks Michael - it does appear that the 2nd edition is a good improvement.

Doug I have been looking at your attached photo showing the SAO numbers which are not included in the first edition. It certainly helps using the SAO number in Stellarium. Perhaps I might consider an upgrade.

Thanks Doug that is really useful - my CDSA is the first edition which does not show it in the detailed text at the back of the book.

Thanks Michael - what I should have stated is there was no text to indicate the double. Anyway I am looking forward to your first light on the iOptron after the mount has arrived. Hopefully, it will be good on doubles for you.

Thanks Michael. Its not marked in the Cambridge Double Star atlas nor the Uranometria atlas although it is in Interstellarum. Doug @cloudsweeper you really found a difficult one - not only to split but also find. I will have a go with my 12" Dob - thanks Doug

Doug that is really good. Anyway can you help because I cannot find a reference to Sigma 418 in Cygnus. I have looked in Sissy Haas's double star book and my Cambridge double star atlas but cannot identify the double. Have you the RA and Dec?

Paul that is a great WL photo. AR2786 is a fantastic sunspot and I hope it grows further. I used my Skywatcher 150P this morning in WL and the PST + DS in Ha.

The manual that comes with the basic AZ5, which has the alloy tripod, states a payload of 5 kg. With the heavy duty stainless steel tripod the payload is stated as 9 kg. Its a shame that the tripod cannot handle the 6 inch CC better. I use a Skywatcher 150P Newt on the same arrangement and it normally settles after a few seconds.

Update - I have just checked Stellarium and I think Jupiter will be below the horizon at the critical time (UK)

I have been observing Jupiter and the shadow transit of Europa has just ended. However the GRS will transit at 18.44 so you have just enough time to catch it. Io will then transit a bit later - see the attached details.

Agreed Michael I have been observing all this activity with the PST+DS. Really impressive.